Improvement in knitting-machines



l UNITED STATES PATENT CEFIGE.

THOMAS CRANE, OF FORT ATKINSON, WISCONSIN.

IMPROVEMENT IN KNITTING-MACHINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 9l,214, dated June 15, 1869.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS CRANE, of Fort Atkinson, in the county of Jefferson andState ot` Wisconsin, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Knittin g Machinery,

Figure 1, Plate 1, is a view of the top ot' the machine complete, representing the camcarriage at one end thereof, and its cam inthe act of moving the needles to forni the loops; also representing two needle-movers, and the manner of using them to adjust a given number of needles into or out ot' operation. Fig. 2, Plate 1, is a top view of the spool which supplies the yarn to the yarn-carrier. Fig. 3, Plate 1, is a vertical central section through the spool, representing it inverted and applied to a spindle, as it would appear when arranged for reeling yarn upon it. Fig. f1, Plate 2, is a vertical section taken transversely through the bed of the machine, through the cam-carriage, through the yarn carrier, and also through the latch-holder and work-holder, all ot' which parts are represented in working position. Fig. 5, Plate 2, is a vertical section taken transversely through the machine, representin g the end ofthe cani-carriage, and showing the tension-spring, the work-holder, and the latch-holder out ot' workin g position. Fig. 6, Plate 2, isa view showing the construction ot' the improved setting-up plate, which is represented in section aud in position against the jack bar in Fig. f1. Figs. 7 and 8, Plate 2, represent the construction ot' my improved Workhook by which aA weight is attached at any point to the work for drawingit down in place while knitting.' Figs. 9, 10, 11 and 12, Plate 3, show the construction of the cam-carriage, the counting device, and the adjustable gagescrew for regulating the tightness of the loops. Fig. 13, Plate 3, isa perspective view of the tension -spring yarn carrier and distribnter. Fig. 14, Plate 3, is a top view of a portion of the work-holder and jackbar enlarged, showing the operation ot the teeth of the work holder upon the loops, as the needles are moved forward to receive the yarn in their hooks.

Fig. 15, Plate 3, is a sectional and side view ot' the temple for keeping the work spread out evenly directly below the work-holder, during the operation of knitting.

Similar letters of reference indicate correspondin g parts in the several figures.

This invention relates in part to certain novel improvements on that class of knitting machinery wherein rectilinear reciprocating latchneedles are arranged in a row parallel to each other and operated by means of a cam which receives a rectilinear reciprocating inotion over the needle-bed, and which causes the needles to advance and receive the yarn and then recede far enough to cast oft' the loops.

1. One object of my invention is to arrangea bar in front of and slightly above the plane ot' the needles, so that while the hooked ends ot' the needles will pass back and forth beneath said bar, it will operate as a latchholder and prevent the latches when thrown back from liability of falling on the top ot' the hooked points when the needles advance to receive the yarn from a yarn-distributer; also to so arrange said bar that it will serve as a support for the outer end of the yarucarrier to keep the yarn-distributer always at a given height over the needles as they advance to receive,

the yarn, as will be hereinafter explained.

2. Another object of my invention is to connect a latch-holding bar with a movable workholder in such manner that when said bar is turned over out of working position it will move the work-holder a sufficient distance away from the jack-bar to allow free access to and inspection ot the work upon the needles, as'will be hereinafter explained.

3. Another object ot' my invention is to apply a tine wire in a groove made in the needlebed just in rear of and parallel to the jacks, in such manner that such wire shall serve as a means for shutting the latches when the needles are drawn fully back; also as a means for opening the latches when the needles are moved forward to a 'working position, and also as a means for holding back the needles and preventing them from being casually thrown forward when it is desired to keep any number of needles out of working position, as will be hereinafter explained.

4. Another object of my invention is to construct that edge of the work-holder l ying` nearest the jaclrbar with teeth which are arranged at regular distances apart on the upper surface of the work-holder, and which form short grooves, channels, or spaces between them for receiving the ends of the needles as the latter advance to receive the yarn, said teeth being Ibeveled or curved on their under front edges and formed directly upon the bed by grcoving the same in such manner that the bases of the teeth are on a plane with bases oi' the needlegrooves, and so that they will hold back the work and allow the needles to slip freely through the loops upon them far enough to bring the loops back of the latches, thereby preventing` the work from rising or moving forward with the needles, as will be hereinafter described.

5. Another object of my invention is to provide for regulating the length ot' the loops, for the purpose of knitting loose or tight, by applying an adjustable set-screw to the arm which oscillates the needle-cam, and arranging said screw within a daring opening iu the cam-carriage,said parts heilig so made that the length of' vibration and throw of the cani can be increased or diminished at pleasure, as will be hereinafter explained.

6. Another object of my invention is to so construct the slide of the tension-spring or yarncarrier that this slide and its attachments can be readily removed from or applied to its guide-way and cam-carriage at any point in the stroke of the latter across the needle-bed at the same time to construct said slide with hooks upon it,which will alternately receive a tongue on the camcarriage,and keep the slide down in place while in operation, as will be hereinafter explained.

7. Another object of my invention is to apply to a bow-spring for producing an upward tension of the yarn, an auxiliary tension-sprin g which will cause the bow-spring to operate uniformly at all times upon the yarn and take up any slack which might be produced in the yarn during the operation of knitting, as will be hereinafter described.

8. Another object of my invention is to so construct the device which is applied to the yarn-carrier, fcr distributing the yarn upon the needles, that it will serve as a means for insuring the delivery of the yarn upon the needles in front of the latches, and preventing the latches from closing upon the hooks before the yarn is laid therein, as will be hereinafter explained.

9. Another object of my invention is to provide for counting and rec )rding the number of strokes of the cam-carriage over the needlebed, independently of the vibratingmovements of the cam-arm, by means of a rotary toothed counting-wheel, and a vibrating dog on the cam-carriage, and a stationary cam upon the needle-bed, as will be hereinafter described.

10. Another object of my invention is to apply to the arm, by which the needle-cam and cam-carriage are moved, a sectional handle, each one of the sections of which is free to turn about a fixed stern, so that when said handle is grasped in the hand the sections will both rock freely, and allow the cam to be oscillated without restraint, as will he herein after explained.

l1. Another object of my invention is to provide for using the yarn-carrying spool as a reel, when it is desired to wind yarn upon it, by providing said spool with a tubular lingerpiece or thimble, and employing a rod which is to be inserted through the center of the spool and into a hole made in one cud of the needle-bed when the reeling is to be performed, as will be hereinafter explained.

12. Another object of my invention is to employ, in conjunction with a straight knitting-machine, a swinging temple, which is constructed of rolling toothed sections, and arranged beneath the needle-bed in such manner that it will serve as a means for keeping the work distendcd and allowing it to be drawn down uniformly, as will be hereinafter described.

13. Another object of my invention is to provide means for readily moving into or ont of operation any desired or given number of needles, according to the character of the Work to be performed.

To enable others skilled in the art lo understand my invention, I will describe its construction and operation. i

In the accompanyingdrawings, A represents the needle-bed, which has grooves or channels, t', in its upper surface, extending transversely across it in parallel lines, for the purpose of receiving the needles and allowing them to reciprocate freely.

To the bottom side of this needle-bed, and secured rigidly thereto, is the jack-bar A, which is constructed with thin blades or jacks a a upon it, projecting perpendicularl y upward in front of and above the front straight edge of the needle-bed A, so as to allow the needle in grooves r to pass back and forth between them while knitting. If desirable, the jacks may be constructed upon the front edge of the needle-bed, instead of being made upon a separate bar, A, as described.

In the rear of the row of jacks a, a dovetail groove is made in the ueedl'e-bedin a direction with the length thereof, into which is inserted a straight bar, C', which I shall call a gib, as it serves as a means of keeping the needles down in place in their grooves and preventing them from being casually drawn out of place endwise. This gib C also serves as an elevated support and guideway for a reciprocating slide F of the yarn-carrier, and also as one of the guides for the cam-carriage G. The extremities of the gib C' extend beyond the extremities of the front portion of the needle-bed A, as shown in Fig. 1, and are provided with stop-pins for preventing the Vthrough a slot or openingl,

yarn-,carrier and cam-carriage from being moved olf the ends ofthe machine while knitting. `Inthe b aek side, and near the upper edge of said gib C', a groove, g, isffmade in a direction with its length,A which receives a narrow tongue, 19 formed `onfthe'l front edge of the cam-carriage G1, in the middle of the. lengththereof;A theback edge of the saidcar-y riage is turnedl downward and,` forward, forming` two right. angles and a tongue', g3, which latter-is fitted into an L-shapedgroove, g5, made in the upper surface` of thefneedle-bed in `rear of the grooved surface which receives the needles, asshown in Figs. 1., 4, and 5. The grooves g4 and g5 extend` from end to end of the needle-bed A, so. that thejfeam-carriage can be introduced in place fromleither end.

Beneath the upper yhorizontalfportion ofthe cam-carriage Gl are` two V-shaped cams, 7c u, shown clearly in Figs. lland l2,j,one of which,

Y It, ,-is rigidly fixed tothe carriage, and theother is pivoted at l to it, so as to oscillate horizontally, to allow it to assume the two positions shown by Figs. 11 and 12. n

The oscillating cam It has an arm, G2, formed on it andextendin g bakward th rough a slot made through theflxedfcarn k and` also made through theback of the carriage, andwto the rear end of said arm GZ a rod, I-1{,is secured fast, which extends perpendicularly.aboveand below it, andreceives two sections,vf ,`H H, that form a handle tobe grasped by the operator for moving the carriage and its cam. The two sections HH forming the handle should be allowed to turn freely about their rod or stein H', sothat then arm G2 and its calnfk can` ybe vibrated freely while the sectionsfof the handle are held 'rmly in the hand.

A portion of the top plate of the cam-'carriage G1 is cut away, so as to forniv a flaring or tapering opening, rzfthrough it; and through the` armGr2 anoblon-g-slot, 1.2, is made beneath the opening r1 through which passes ascrew, nhavinga clampnnt, G?, upon it.. By loosening the nut G3 `andi movingit toward or from the pivot-pin l', the throw of the cam k can be v lengthened or shortened, and the work knit more or -less tight, as may be required. For the purpose ofA effecting said adjustmentv with accuracy the `arm G2 maybe marked olf or graduated and numbered as shown in Figs. 9 and 10, which marks will indicate the different degrees of `tightness or looseness ef the `fabric which can be knit by adjusting the nut Gf* as described. 1

The two cams 7c k operate upon the upturned portions fof theneedles, to movethese needles up to and from `the work, substant all y as the cani described in my Letters Patent N o, '13,697, with this difference: the rear cam v`kris fixed to the carriage G and, does not oscillate with the front cam k; consequently there will bemore spacebetween lthe endslof the` cams when' open,as in Figs. 11 and 12, in going forward or backward, than could be practically made if both cams oscillated together. By this means the cams will gather in needles which may be moved casually out of a direct line either forward or backward.

In front of the jack-har A1 is a bar, B, which is parallel to said bar A1, and which is guided at its extremities by means of oblong slots and set-screws b b", or in any other suitable manner. This bar B I shall term a work-holder,

as it is designed for preventing the work from being carried forward by the needles when they advance to receive vthe yarn to form new loops. It is constructed with teeth s s upon its upper surface at its rear edge, or that edge next the jacks, which teeth leave spaces be tween them in which the needles play as they advance and recede. A work-holder made adjustable and provided with teeth upon its edge is not new, broadly considered, but .I am not aware that teeth have been produced upon the upper surface of a work-holder in such 'manner that they serve as guides for the needles and at the vsame time prevent the loops upon the needles from being carried forward as represented in Fig. 14, Plate 3. It will also be seen that by having the teeth or elevations s on top of the work-.holder instead of upon its edge next the work, these teeth s willnot catch into the work, but allow it to be drawn down as fast as new loops are produced.

The extremities of the work-holder B are supported upon the forward extended portions A2 of the l1eedle-bed, which portions are constructed with jaws A3 beneath them for receiving the edge of a table or other object and Vallowing Vthe machine to be secured to such ob` jectby means of the clamp-screws A4. (Shown in Figs. 4 and 5.) Two arms Z1 b are secured to the work-holder near its extremities, which arms project forward and are attached eccentrically to an oscillating rod, B', which has its -end bearings in the forward extensions A2,

and which is parallel to shown in Fig. 1.

To the rod B two arms b b are secured, carryingupon their opposite extremities a bar7 C, which in` cross-section may be made of the shape shown in Figs. 4 and 5, or of any other suitable shape. This bar C I term a latchholder, as it is designed to serve for preventing the needle-latches f2, when open, from falling on the hoolrsf1 of the needles when the needles are passingA under it.

This latch-holder C is supported upon the work-holder B when in working position, as shownv in Figs. 1 and 4, so that the hooked ends of the needles can pass freely beneath it when they advance to receive yarn, and when out of working position the holder U is turned forward and rests upon the object to which the machine is confined, as shown in Fig. 5.

In my Letters Patent, dated January 2S, 1868, I described a thin strip of metal arranged so as to pick up and throw back the latches ot the needles, asthe latter advanced to receive yarn from a distributer. The lower edge of said work-holder, as

this strip was so arranged that the hooked ends of the needles could not pass beneath it without having the latches turned back. The bar U is so arranged with relation to the termination of the forward strokes of the needles that it prevents the needle-latches, which in this case are always thrown back by the loops of yarn upon the needles as the needles advance, from being thrown over upon the hooks and closing the hooks.

It also serves as a rest for the yarn-carrier and as a handle by which to move the workholder B far enough from the jacks to obtain access to the work or to use a settingnp plate at the commencement of knitting. Between thejacks a a and the gib C' is a fine wire, g, which is let into a groove or channel made in the upper surface of the needle-bed A, and which is held under tension by means of studs g* inserted into the ends of the needlc-bed, as shown in Fig. l. This wire serves as a needleholder and also as a latch shutter and opener. It is 1ct into the surface of the needle-bed across the needle-receiving grooves v far enough to allow the hooked ends of the needles f to abut against it when the needles are drawn behind it and then gently pressed forward against it. This wire is designed to prevent needles, which it is required to hold back out of operation, from being casually thrown forward into operation, by oli'ering a slight resistance to their forward movement.

It is also designed to and will open the latches f2 of the needles as they are moved forward into working position, and it will also close the latches f 2 ot' needles in the act of moving them back out of working position. When needles are out of working position their hooked ends are behind the wire g, and their upturned shanks f 3 are in line with the space back of cam k, as shown in Fig. 4. The needles are moved out of and into working position b v a plate, P, or its equivalent, or by the tingers.

The yarn-carrier consists of a slide, F, an arm, F', a distributer, G, and a bow-spring, I, carrying a tension spring on its free end. The slide F lits over the upper edge of the gib C', and has its rear vertical side opened, so as to form two hooks, j j, between the opposite ends of which a space is left for receiving through it the tongue p on the cain-carriage G1. This slide is shown clearly by Fig. 13, Plate 3, wherein it will be seen that the length of the opening above the hooks j j is greater than the width of the tongue p, thereby allowing the slide and the carriage to have movements independent of each other, and also allowing the slide to be readily applied to and removed from its gib C at any point in the stroke of the carriage G'. The hooks j j, over which the tongue p is alternately moved during the reciprocations of the carriage and slide, are designed for allowing the said tongue p to hold the slide down in place upon its gib or is secured rigidly to the slide and projects over the work-holder B, over the latch-holder O, and is turned upward, as shown in Figs. 1, 4,

An arm, F', F in the middle of its length,

and 5. This arm F' has a bowspring, I, secured to its upturued end, which has its free end I' twisted at right angles, or onequarter around, so as to serve, in conjunction with spring m, as an auxiliary tension -device for preventing the yarn from being fed too freely to the work. The yarn'is carried from a spool N, or other suitable yarn-holder, and passed up through a hole, h', through arm F', thence up and over a portion, 'm3 of the tension device m, thence down and through an opening, t', which is made through a taperngand curved distributer, G. The wire m is bent, so as to form an eye, m1, a clamping portion, 'm2, and a hook, m3, which latter passes through a hole made `through the twisted portion I' of the bow-spring. The twisted portion l' serves, in conjunction with the straight portion 'm2 of the wire m, for receiving and clamping the yarn, so that the free end of the bow-spring I will be drawn down considerably before thc yarn will be allowed to slip between said clamping portions. This will keep the yarn under proper tension at all times, and prevent it from being supplied too freely to the needles. The distrihuter G, which lays the yarn upon the needles, so that the hooks on the needles will take the yarn, consists of a triangular plate, curved as shown in Figs. 4 and 5, and perforated at 'i to receive yarn through its depressed angle. This distribul'er G is secured to the bottom side of the arm F', so that its perforated end shall lie just over the front edge of the work-holder, allowing space enough between it and this work-holder for the movement of the needles to receive the yarn. The eye-portion of the distributor G is made with angling edges, for the purpose of guiding and holding up the needle-latches until the yarn is delivered into the hooks of the needles, and then allowing the latches to hooks as quickly as the yarn is them, during the rier from one end tothe other of the machine. Without such a device G, the needlelatches would be liable sometimes to fall upon the hooks of the needles before receiving the'yarn. Angling yarn-distributers have heretofore been used in knitting machinery, but such devices were made angling for the sole purpose of forming depressed points or edges which would raise the latches of the needles to allw yarn to be delivered into the hooks of the needles. It will'be seen that my distributor is arranged wholly 'above the plane of the needles, and is constructed with two angling edges so arranged as to hold back the needlelatches while the yarn is being delivered across the needlehooks, and at the same time allow the needles to lrecede and the latches to gradually close over the yarn in the hooks,wthout guideway.

liability of hreakingthe loops last formed fall upon the 4 delivered into l movement of the yarn-carl upon the needles. The distributer is'not a latch-opener, but a latch-holder, to prevent latches from being closed before yarn is dclivered into the hooks of the needles.

It will be seen by reference to Fig. 4, Plate 2, that when the latch-holder O is in working position, it affords a support for the arm F' of the yarn-carrier, and prevents this arm from sagging, which would cause the distributer G to strike the needles or their latches, and derange the machine.

On top of the cam-carrying carriage G1 is a circular plate, O, having ratchet-teeth around its periphery, which plate is properly graduated and numbered, and centrally pivoted to the said carriage, so as to rotate. On the back edge of the carriage Gl a cam-lever, t', is pivoted, so as to vibrate freely, and to the upper end of this lever t a spring-pawl, t, is secured, so as toengage with the teeth of the counting-wheel o, and to move this wheel a certain distance about its axis at every vibration oi' the cam-lever i. At the middle of the length of the needle-bed, and in the same ver tical plane as lever t', is a double-inclined cam, S, which will act upon the lower end of the cam-lever t every time the carriage G1 is moved forward or backward, so that,when the carriage makes two strokes, the wheel o will indicate, by a ixed arrow or other `mark on the carriage, said movements. Heretoi'ore counter-plates have been operated by pawls placed upon vibrating arms of cam-carriages; but I now operate the counter-plate or wheel by a fixed cam on the/needle-bed, so as not to interfere with the vibrating movements of said arm. Y

Between the vertical-portions of the jaws A3 is an oscillating rod, D, having arms d depending from it, carrying a bar, d1, which is parallel to the toothed edge of the work-holder B. Upon this bar I looselyplace a number of short cylindrical sections, d2, between which are circular toothed wheels d3, the diameter of which is slightlygreater than that of the interposed spacing sections d2, as clearly shown in Fig. 15, Plate 3. The spurred wheels d3 are free to turn aroundthe bar d1 independently of each other, and are designed to catch into the work and keep it distended in width during the operation ot' knitting. This device serves as a temple, and is madevup of independently turning sections, so that none of these sections will drag or act unequally upon the work; also to allow ot' the use of this temple while knittinggored work, where one portion of the work is knit longer than another portion, and is drawn down over one part of the temple while the portion of work which i-s not being lengthened is held distended by another part of the temple.

The spool which I have shown in Figs. 2 and 3 is intended for paying ott' yarn during the operation of knitting. It consists of a cone, N, which is provided with legs J at its base, and also with an annular tlan ge, N3, some distance above its base, which iiange forms, in

conjunction with the wide flaring base of thel cone, a receptacle for yarn, as shown in Fig. 3. The cone N is also provided with a bar, N-, which is secured "iliainetrically across it, a little above its base, and which is constructed with a tube or thimble, N2, on one side ot' a central hole made through said bar.

When the spool is to be supplied with yain it is inverted over a hole, Y, made in or through the needle-bed A, near one end thereof, so that the apex of the spool rests upon said needle-bed. Arod, J, is then dropped through the center of the spool, so that its lower end will enter the hole Y, thus holding the spool in an upright position and allowing it to be rotated by inserting the finger into the thirnble N2. In this manner the spool is adapted to serve as a reel for winding yarn upon it. Then the spool has been supplied with yarn, the rod J is removed and the yarn carried up outside of the cone N, passed in through its apex, and thence carried out and off to the yarn-carrier, as shown in Fig. 2.

Tocommence the operation of knitting, it is necessary to employ a device for producing loops upon the needles at the first passage of the yarn-carrier over the needles, so that at every subsequent passage of the yarn-carrier new loops will be formed and the old loops cast oft the needles. For this purpose plates having rows of wire hooks affixed to their edges have been used, but are attended with objections which I ain enabled to overcome by the setting-up device shown in Figs. 4 and 6, Plate 2. rllhis device consists of a plate, E, having a row of rectangular holes, e', made through it near its upper straight edge and above a shoulder, e, which is parallel to said row of holes. The holes e correspond in width and distance apart to the spaces between the jacks aa, and the shoulder or bend at e is intended to abut against the lower surface at the front edge of the jack-bar A1, as shown in Fig. 4, when the holes e are in proper position in iront of the needles to allow the needles to pass freely through them. This plate E is made tapering, as shown, and it is perforated to receive a hook, W, carrying a drawing-down weight, W, as shown in Fig. 4.

When the set-up device is properly adjusted in front of the jacks a, and the yarncarrier is passed once across the needles, yarn will belaid upon the needles and drawn through the openings e in the form of loops. The setup device is then drawn down, so that at the next throw of the needles they will pass over its upper edge, receive yarn, cast oft' the first i loops, and form new loops. A weight is then attached to the setup device, and the work proceeded with without further attention to it. The set-up device represented in Fig. G is made for only twenty-two needles; but in practice this device will be made of such length and with a proper number ot' openings e through it to adapt it for all the needles used upon the needle-bed of the machine.

In knitting some varieties of work it will be necessary to employ a device, which can be readily attached to the work at different points, for the purpose of employing a drawing-down weight. Such a device is represented by Figs. 7 and 8, and consists of a triangular plate, Z, having a hole, 3, made through it for receiving a. weight hook, and also having a number ot' sharp-pointed hooks or lingers, 3 3 3, secured at regular distances apartalong its upper straghted ge. The hooks 33are bent in planes at right angles to the fiat surface of the plate Z, and are designed for hooking into the knit fabric at any point for the purpose of readily attaching a weight to the fabric and detaching it therefrom, and having such weight draw down uniformly upon the entire width of the fabric.

It will be seen by reference to Figs. 7 and 8, Plate 2, that the hooks 3 3 are made of round wire inserted and firmly secured into the upper straight edge of plate Z, and that the pointed portions ot' the hooks are bent downward and outward, so that, by presenting the tlat surface of the plate Z to work hanging from the needles of the knitting-machine, the hooks will readily enter the work, simply by lateral thrust, and thus attach this plate Z to it, and take a firm hold without liabilityv of tearing the loops, notwithstanding this plate should be loaded heavily.

I am aware that hooked set-up plates, adapted for receiving weights for drawing down knit fabrics during the commencement ot' knitting, are not new, and, broadly considered, l lay no claim to such device. The device which I have described for attaching a weight at any desired point of the fabric is not a set-up device, and cannot be used as such; nor can the setup devices hitherto used be made to serve the purpose described for my workbook.

In Fig. 1 I have represented two devices, which are designed for moving needles into and out of working position. The plate 1 is designed for moving any given number of needles, lying side by side, out of working position or into working position. In the operation of knitting stockings it is frequently necessary to skip a given number of needles, and to recover these needles again. For this purpose a dat plate, P, is used, which has unequal sides, which are numbered according to the number of needles each side will cover. To use such plate, the edge or side correspond ing in length to the number of needles it is desired to move is adjusted against the upturned shanks f1s of the needles, and held in an inclined position upon the needle-bed, as shown in Fig. l. Such a device not only serves as a means for readily moving the needles, but it renders it unnecessary to count oi' the number of needles which it is required to move, as the numbers stamped upon the several sides or edges ot' the plate P will indicate at a glance the number of needles which such edges will move.

Sometimes it is found necessary to move out of and into working position every alternate needle, or to move the needles in alternate rows. To effect this with facility, I use a plate, It, having teeth w w and w formed on one or two of its edges. The central tooth w' is pointed, so that it will enter one of the needle-grooves v in the needle-bed, and thus guide the other teeth w. The teeth are all properly spaced, so that they will take some of the needles and skip or leave others. Those c teeth on plate It which are represented as in the act of moving some ot' the needles iu Fig. 1, are spaced for taking every alternate needle; and those teeth which are represented on the opposite edge of the plate It are spaced so as to leave two needles between every two which are moved. It' desired, other arrangements of l teeth may be adopted, according to the kind of stitch or work which it is desired to produce.

The figures marked on the back edge of the needle-bed will indicate in inches the width of material which is being knit.

Having described my invention, what l claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The bar U, arranged across the machine in a plane parallel to the needle-bed, and constructed as described, so that it maybe turned or moved back from the work, to allow access to the work, and also, when in working position, will prevent the needle-latches from casually falling forward upon the hooks of the needles as the latter advance to receive yarny from a distrihuter, G, substantially' as described.

2. The latch-holder C and the work-holder B, so connected that they will both move together, substantially as described.

3. A latch-holder, C, so arranged that it will serve as an auxiliary support for the arm F of the yarncarrier, substantially as described.

4. The work holder B, having teeth or guides s s rising from its upper surface, said teeth being beveled or curved on their under front edges, and formed directly upon the bed by grooving the same in such a manner that the bases ot' the teeth are on a plane with the bases of the needle-grooves, all substantially as described.

5. The device g, for'the purpose described.

6. Adjustable nut G3, applied to the vibratf ing arm G2 of the carriage G, and arranged within a daring opening, r", made in said carringe, or their respective equivalents, for regulating the throw of needles, substantially as described.

7. The slide F of the yarn-carrier, con. structed with an opening in one side, and with hooks j j for receiving a tongue, p, on the cam-carriage, substantially as described.

8. The auxiliary tensionsprin g, applied to a bow-spring, I, substantially as described.

9. The perforated, curved, and angular yarn-distributer,

wholly varranged above the plane of the hooked ends of the needles, and so arranged as to allow the needle-latches to close gradually upon" the hooks during the act ot" distributing the described.

l0. An upwardly-acting tension-device, in combination with a yarn-distributer, G, which is constructed substantially asv described, to guide the latches of the needles,as set forth.

11. The pawl t and cam-lever t on the camcarriage G, in combination With a cam, S, on the needle-bed or frame A, said parts being` adapted for communicating an intermittent yarn substantially as rotary motion to thecounting-plate O, substantially as described.

12. The vibrating arm G2, xed rod H', and turning-sections H, combined with the camcarrying slide, substantially as described.

13. A vibrating cam, 7c', in combination with a cam, k, which is rigidly xed to the cam-carriage, the cams being constructed and operating substantially as described.

14. The conical spool N, having a flange, N3, a cross-har, N1, and a thimble, N2, in oombination with the pin J, all'constructed as and for the purpose described.

15. The spurred sectional roller D', constructed and applied so as to operate upon narrow knit Work in the same manner as it operates upon Wide work, substantially as described.

16. The arrangement of a swinging temple beneath knitting devices, substantially as described.

17. The knitting-machine-needle mover R, constructed with a guide, w, and teeth u", as and for the purpose set forth.

* .THOMAS CRANE.

Witnesses:

N. F. HOPKINS, S. BoURNER. 

